It's a Good One: The Japanese Snowcone

I've come to terms with the fact that I never really want to eat sweet, gooey, chewy deep-fried octopus balls, even though I want to want to. But one thing I love at Otafuku is the shaved ice. Think of the snow cones of your youth, but topped with green tea syrup and a blob of red beans instead of the cough medicine-cherry and "blue" you were raised on. (The red bean is $1 extra, bringing this snack to $3.50.) Added bonus: People are fascinated and revolted by the sight of it, which is always fun.